Volkswagen Crosspolo test drive since 2010 Minivan
Modest heroes
This time we deliberately brought together models that do not claim to be a bestseller. Suzuki Swift and Volkswagen Polo are considered the right B-class machines not the largest number of Russians.
The smallest of the Volkswagen offered in the domestic market for the first half of 2006 acquired 359 Russians. The result of his opponent is not much higher - 498 cars. Compare these numbers, for example, with 6947 sold Hyundai Getz Perhaps that is why Swift looks fresh. The car, although it has been produced for two years, has not become embraced on the streets. Playful forms, perky expression on the face. The image of a merryman is supported by the obvious similarity with Mini - black front racks, flat roof, windshield with a small angle of inclination of suspicion removes its own composition of the feed. And chubby wheel arches, in which 14-inch wheels look pretty sorry.
The appearance of Polo is the classic of the genre. Strictly, solid. And how carefully emphasizes kinship with Golf and even Passat! In the first case, in addition to the proportions of the body, the round lamps are noteworthy. In the second - identically summed up head headlights. But just a year ago, Polo touched many four round eyes!
The salons of cars are also opposed to each other. You sit high in Suzuki, you look far - nothing interferes with visibility, large mirrors. But the steering wheel is regulated only in height. A three -spoke -pertle barism of polyurethane lies well in his hands. Before my eyes, the laid combination of devices. The main place is occupied by a speedometer, but the emotional center is a tachometer. Its scale is decorated with accented motorcycle risks. This solution looks especially advantageous at night with red lighting, but during the day the instruments are not enough brightness. The front panel is simple and harmonious - smooth surfaces, a niche under a two -dine head audio device (half turns into a box for small things) and a short escapolo with three air conditioning handles. Climate control is not provided, but in the top configuration there is a chic type of standard stereo system with CD - a real decoration of the interior. 
Volkswagen offers the driver a fundamentally different landing: the chair drops almost to the floor, plus you can change the departure of the steering column - a high driver will be more convenient here. The awkward four -spoke steering wheel is not very suitable for Polo, but it is nice to hold it - comfortable tides are made in the places of grip. Traditional Volkswagen Devices are traditionally highly informative and non -expert. And at night, toxic purple backlight is turned on at night But the front panel has a more sophisticated architecture with a pronounced central console (a hint of a more solid status of a German model), although its filling is similar: a large niche for music, a row of buttons, round pens of a climate installation (here instead of the air conditioner it can stand and stand and stand and stand Climeatronics - for an additional $ 1500, of course).
Both cars were pleased with excellent seats with an exhaustive range of adjustments, as well as high quality fitting interior parts. But it is clear that the materials are not the most expensive. There are few places on the rear sofas in both cars - the knees touch the backs of the front seats. And SWIFT also has a low ceiling, and the doorway below is noticeably narrowed. In Polo you feel freer. In addition, passengers can use the folding armrest and cup holders there. 
The transformation capabilities are approximately equal - the backs and pillows of sofas are folded completely and separately. But the scheme is different - in Polo you need to raise the pillow and drop the back down, and in Swift the back lies on top of the pillow and together with it is springy forward. As for the spaciousness of luggage departments, they are visually similar. SWIFT has only one engine - a 4 -cylinder, 1.3 liters. Polo has gamma is richer, but in this case, a 1.4-liter four under the hood. But do not rush to write down the Japanese in outsiders - it develops 92 hp, and the German motor is only 75. True, Polo has more torque, and it is available at lower speeds. So it turns out that the SWIFT engine is sluggish from below (up to 2500 rpm), and in order for it to show everything that is capable of, you need to hold the tachometer arrow in the upper part of the scale - for a mark of 5000 rpm. Then Swift will be a frisky machine. Polo is exactly pulling in almost the entire speed range.
The Polo has a real automatic machine, and SWIFT costs robotic mechanics. The 4-speed hydromechanical box Volkswagen works calmly and predictably. Cons - fuzzy movements of the selector and slowness with dynamic driving. 
There are more complaints about the robot. He spends about the same amount of time as not the most quick driver. But the delicacy of gas handling and clutch Android should be studied - each switch is accompanied by unpleasant stumbling, and when touched, twitching is noticeable. True, the logic of actions is adequate - especially if you do not forget to turn off the economical regime activated by default. And it is better to change the program yourself - it comes out not bad. 
On the go, Swift is noisy - it is clearly audible how the engine is working. However, Polo also does not go soundless - noise insulation poorly masks the suspension. At the same time, the Little Volkswagen passes without excesses, and there is confidently on the road. In the chassis settings, a breed is felt. Cool steering electric power, the exact responses of the car to the actions of the steering wheel - Polo maneuvers confidently. The main thing is not to lose a sense of proportion. The limit of the adhesive capabilities of small tires is achieved quickly enough. 
With SWIFT, in this regard, it is a little more complicated - its extremely narrow tires 165/70 R14 begin to swim even earlier, and sharp maneuvers are accompanied by slippery and the squeal of rubber. More serious wheels are asked here (15-inch discs with rubber 185/60 R15 are offered for the surcharge. Then Suzuki will show itself in all its glory - a brilliant, sharp, responsive car, with an understandable feedback on the steering wheel and a rigid assembled suspension. With the brakes of Suzuki, everything is in order - the effort on the pedals is in proportion to slowing down, its course is small. Unless the ABS works too early, but the wheels are again to blame and Volkswagen has presented a surprise - although its brakes are also exemplary, ABS is absent. The system is provided only for cars with a 1.6-liter engine.
In principle, this solves the case - with an almost equal starting price, Polo requires a more expensive reinforcement. Not everyone agrees to put up with this as a surcharge for German quality.
Prices and configuration
The easiest Suzuki Swift 1.3 GLA (MKPP-5, ABS, Electric Packet, Air conditioning, central castle, heating seats, audio training) will cost $ 15,550. The same machine with a robot box costs $ 16,650. GLX top-end equipment at $ 17,670 (fog lights, a standard audio system with control on the steering wheel, 15-inch wheels and a non-clock access system) is provided only for robotic SWIFT.
The three-door Volkswagen Polo with a 1.4 liter and automatic transmission in the Trendline configuration (Russian suspension, two airbags, steel 14-inch wheels) cost $ 15,856. A five-door will cost at least $ 514 more expensive. Polo Comfortline for $ 16,614 in the standard receives velor upholstery, electric package, central castle). The most expensive Polo - Sportline for $ 17,521 has a 15 -inch wheels, an underestimated suspension, a chrome radiator grille. To finish the Polo Comfort to a level comparable to the test SWIFT, you will have to pay about $ 3000 (air conditioning, ABS, heating the front seats, 6 airbags).
Text: Sergey Knowemsky
Source: Motor magazine [September 2006]
